Burn ban in effect in Orange County

Dry weather conditions have triggered a temporary burn ban in Orange County.

The burn ban went into effect on Tuesday, March 31, after the local drought index reached 500. The burn ban prohibits Orange County residents from open fires of any types, including camp fires, bonfires, yard waste and trash burning, etc. 

Exemptions to the ban include firework displays that are properly permitted, cooking on barbecue grills or any other valid state- or county-authorized burn. The ban will be lifted  after the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced the burn ban on April 1 during a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Even as we’re managing the COVID-19 crisis, we’re still monitoring other crises in our community as well,” Demings said. “The drought index reached 500 yesterday, which indicates that we have extremely dry conditions right now, and the threat of a potential wildfire is high. Yesterday, a burn ban automatically went into effect in accordance with Orange County’s (burn ban) ordinance. … Please remember that emergency personnel are already working tirelessly and that we need to make sure to prevent any wildfires that can cause undue stress on our Orange County Fire Rescue personnel.”